Governor’s consent in Lagos is the State Governor’s written approval of a transfer of land held under a statutory right of occupancy, and without it a purchase can be challenged as invalid. For buyers abroad, it is the step that turns a signed Deed of Assignment into a transfer the state recognises. This guide by Gbenga Adeyeye of ATLAS REALTORS (8 years advising buyers in Lagos) explains when you need consent, which documents are commonly asked for, how the process works, and how to confirm that a consent is genuine. If you want us to review your documents, book a consultation for a 45-minute video session.
Quick answer: Section 22 of the Land Use Act says a holder cannot validly assign, mortgage or sublease a right of occupancy without the Governor’s consent first being obtained. In practice you submit the executed deed with supporting documents, receive a demand notice, pay the assessed charges and collect the registered, consented document.
This post is part of our complete guide on how to verify land in Lagos from abroad.
What is Governor's consent, and why does the law require it?
All land in each state is vested in the Governor under the Land Use Act. Individuals and companies hold rights of occupancy, not absolute ownership in the old sense. Because the state remains the ultimate holder, section 22 requires the Governor’s consent before a holder alienates that right through assignment, mortgage, transfer of possession or sublease.
The Act also provides that a transaction made in breach of its requirements is null and void. That is why lawyers treat consent as central to title. A buyer who skips it may hold a document that looks complete but gives weaker protection when the state, a bank or a later buyer checks the record.
Consent is not the same as a Certificate of Occupancy. The C of O is the title. Consent is the approval of a transfer of that title. See how to verify C of O in Lagos for the title side. For outside reading, see the Nigeria Property Centre explainer on Governor’s consent and the Legal500 overview of land searches and title checks.
When do you need consent, and when might you not?
It depends on the root of title and the type of transaction. Use this table as a starting point, then have a lawyer confirm for your plot.
Situation | Is consent normally needed? | Note |
|---|---|---|
Buying land held under a Certificate of Occupancy | Yes | The classic case under section 22 |
Mortgaging a statutory right of occupancy | Yes | The lender will usually insist on it |
Sub-leasing or assigning a lease of state land | Yes | Applies to leases as well as sales |
Buying directly from government (first allocation) | Usually the grant itself | A fresh C of O is issued by the state |
Land on an excision or other root of title | Depends | The requirement and process differ, so confirm with a lawyer |
Gift of land | Yes, with different charges | Published guidance shows lower fees for gifts |
If a seller says “consent is not necessary here”, do not accept that as an answer. Ask which root of title they rely on, then have it checked. Our post on how to verify land title documents in Nigeria shows how each title type is read.
What documents are required for Governor's consent in Lagos?
Requirements change, so confirm the current checklist with the Lands Bureau or a lawyer before you submit. Published guidance from Estate Intel lists items such as:
- A completed application form (Land Form 1C)
- A certified true copy of the root of title
- The deed or instrument of transfer, with clear survey plans attached
- Passport photographs of the applicant
- For companies, the certificate of incorporation and directors’ details
- Dated site photographs and a site location sketch
- Payment receipts for the stated processing fees
- A letter of authority and ID, if someone applies on your behalf
- A covering letter with working phone numbers and email address
Two items trip buyers up most often. The first is the survey: it must be genuine and properly charted, so read how to check survey plan online in Lagos State before you rely on it. The second is the root of title: if the seller cannot show a clean chain, the application stalls. Our guide on land documents in Lagos explains each paper in plain language.
Who applies? Usually the buyer, often through a lawyer. If you are abroad, a letter of authority lets someone act for you, but read power of attorney land Nigeria first so the authority is limited and safe.
How does the Governor's consent process work, step by step?
- Confirm the title and the seller. Verify the root of title, the seller’s identity and the survey before spending on fees. Start with verify land documents in Lagos.
- Execute the Deed of Assignment. Both parties sign. The deed should describe the land exactly as the survey does.
- Run your searches. Do how to check land encumbrances in Lagos and a court search before you apply, because consent will not cure a dispute.
- Submit the application. The documents go to the Lagos State Lands Bureau. The state has also launched an online route, covered in our post on the Lagos eGIS portal.
- Receive the demand notice. The state assesses charges based on the location and value of the land.
- Pay the assessed charges. The same Estate Intel guidance lists a total of about 3% of assessed value, made up of a consent fee, capital gains tax, stamp duty and registration fee, plus neighbourhood improvement charges in some cases. Treat these as indicative, because rates and rules change.
- Submit your receipts and collect the document. The registered, consented deed is released to you. Keep the original safe and make certified copies.
How long does it take? Published guidance gives no fixed timeline, and experience varies with how complete the file is and how busy the office is. Plan for weeks to months rather than days, and be wary of anyone who promises a guaranteed date. Never pay an individual to “speed things up”.
When you are ready for someone to run the steps for you, schedule a verification call.
How do you verify that a Governor's consent is genuine?
Fake consent stamps and forged registry details are a known scam pattern. See property scams in Lagos for how they appear. To check one:
- Check the registration details. A consented deed should carry registration particulars, such as a registration number and date, that can be matched to the record.
- Search the record. Ask for a certified true copy (CTC) of the registered document or run a search through the Lands Bureau or the portal.
- Compare the details. Names, plot description, size and survey number must match across the deed, the survey and the record.
- Check the receipts. Payment receipts should match the amounts assessed and carry genuine references.
- Ask your lawyer to confirm. Do not rely on photocopies sent over WhatsApp.
Our property verification service does these checks for buyers abroad, with our group of lawyers on the legal review.
What are the red flags, and what happens if you skip consent?
Watch for these warning signs:
- The seller says consent is “in process” and asks for full payment first.
- Only a photocopy of the consent is available.
- The seller insists you do not need a lawyer.
- The names on the deed, receipts and survey do not match.
- A middleman offers to “get consent quickly” for a private fee.
- The land is sold by someone holding only a power of attorney, with no clear authority from the owner.
If you skip consent, you may hold a deed that cannot be registered, that a bank will not accept as security, or that a later claimant can attack. A buyer from Canada came to us after paying about ₦40 million for land in Ibeju-Lekki. The problem there was acquisition, not consent, but the lesson is the same: paperwork that looks complete can still fail the checks that matter. For more on how pressure and fake paperwork go together, read real estate scams in Lagos, Nigeria and how to avoid omo onile problems in Lagos.
Can you handle Governor's consent from abroad?
Yes, with the right structure. You do not have to fly to Lagos, but you do need someone you trust to represent you. Whether you are in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia or Dubai, the safe sequence is: verify first, pay second, apply third. See how to pay for land in Nigeria safely from abroad so that money moves only when the documents are in order.
Pages written for diaspora buyers include buy property in Nigeria from UK, buy property in Nigeria USA safely, buy property in Nigeria Canada safely, buy property in Nigeria Australia safely and buy property in Nigeria Dubai safely. Our wider guide, buying property in Nigeria from abroad, covers the full process.
How ATLAS REALTORS helps. From first contact to a final report takes up to three weeks, with professional documents at each stage. We handle property due diligence, documentation advisory and real estate consultation, working with a group of lawyers on the legal side. You can learn how we work in Lagos real estate due diligence, see the diaspora real estate broker in Nigeria page, or read about the Nigerian diaspora services. Costs are explained in real estate consultation cost Lagos. If your plot is in a specific area, see our pages for real estate broker in Lekki Lagos, real estate broker in Ibeju-Lekki Lagos and real estate broker in Ajah Lagos.
Reserve your video session and we will walk through your documents with you. After you buy, remote property monitoring in Nigeria helps keep the plot protected.
FAQs
What is Governor's consent in Lagos?
Is Governor's consent the same as a C of O?
Who pays for Governor's consent?
How long does Governor's consent take in Lagos?
Can I buy land without Governor's consent?
Can ATLAS REALTORS help me with Governor's consent from abroad?
Conclusion
Governor’s Consent is the step that turns a paper sale into a transfer the state recognises. Verify the title, survey and seller first, run encumbrance and court searches, then apply and keep every receipt. If you are buying from abroad, do not let anyone rush the order of those steps. For the full picture, return to our pillar guide on how to verify land in Lagos from abroad, and read how to verify a real estate developer in Lagos if you are buying from a developer. When you are ready, start your consent check today.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and procedures change, so confirm current requirements with the Lagos State Lands Bureau or a qualified lawyer before acting.
